We are excited to announce the launch of our new book: Explore LA with kids. Los Angeles has many wonderful places to explore. With this guide you and your family can see and enjoy the beautiful city of Los Angeles.

All visitors must have a valid photo ID to enter the Washington Navy Yard to visit the National Museum of the United States Navy. Visitors without a DoD CAC, Uniformed ID and Privileges Card, USG-issued ID, Federal PIV Credentials, or TWIC or an escort with one of these credentials must report to the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the primary access gate at 11th and O Streets SE (GPS address is 1022 O Street SE, Washington, DC). The VCC is open weekdays, 6:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

National Museum of the US Navy:

As Memorial Day is fast approaching, our nation hosts a number of great military related museums. Amongst one of the greatest National museums that are located in Washington DC, is the National Museum of the US Navy.

To visit the museum you will need to make sure you have the background check and access approval taken care of (Please follow the link above to for the details). Once you enter the grounds, you will have a fascinating insight into one of the branches of our military.

The museum hosts a number of exhibits, but walks visitors through the history of the US Navy. Visitors can see the development of Navy and the ships that were in service.

There are a couple of exhibits around the submarines that were used in the US Navy. Perhaps one of the more interesting permanent exhibits is the Covert Submarine Operations. This exhibit walks visitors through the US Navy activities during the Cold War.

Finally, the museum offers tours, which provides great insight into the exhibits, and history of the National Museum of the US Navy.

Fees: Adults ($25), Seniors ($20), Youth ($15), Children 5 and under are free

Parking is free.

Walt Disney Family Museum:

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located within the Presidio National Park on the tip of San Francisco peninsula. The Presidio of San Francisco is a former US Army base; since its closure in 1994 it has been transformed into a national park.

While visiting Presidio Park is worth your time, make sure you put aside time to visit The Walt Disney Family Museum. The museum is not affiliated with Disney Enterprises. It was established by Diane Disney Miller, in an effort to document the life and accomplishments of her father – Walt Disney. The museum first exhibited the artifacts of the Disney family beginning in 2012 and officially was renamed to Walt Disney Family Museum in March 2014.

The museum hosts a number of family artifacts, including the Oscars Walt Disney received for his movies (including the one for Snow White).

The site also exhibits some of the props used in the old TV shows and movies. You can see the saddle used in the TV Show Zorro. Amongst other artifacts that provided a glimpse into Walt Disney include photos with actors and artists that worked with him. There is a very cool detailed miniature of Disneyland that was shown to potential investors.

Finally, the museum offers a number of exhibits throughout the year. They include everything from the Walt’s love for trains to young animators movie festival. Make sure you check out their website for the latest information and exhibits.

Did you ever wonder what happened to the old neon signs of Las Vegas? Where did they go once they were retired from the strip? You can now find them here at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas. The old (some very) and the newer signs are all stacked around this lot. The museum restores these signs to full glory. At night for the tours, they turn on neon lights and remind us all of the magic that used to be Las Vegas. As you get closer to the museum keep an eye out for the restored signs that they have put back on the streets. They can be seen in their full glory at night when the lights have been turned on.

The museum opened in 2012, with newly two acres of land to exhibit these now “retired” neon signs. Currently 11 of the signs are fully restored, however there are a number of signs available for your viewing pleasure.

The tours are guided and they provide the history of neon lights in Las Vegas as well as provide some information about the signs that are currently housed and showcased on the lot. Tours will take roughly an hour, but you will have more time to take photos of the signs.

Walking through your grocery store’s dairy section, you may have come across the Tillamook Cheeses. Or perhaps you ran into their various flavored ice creams in the ice cream isle. But either way, if you have tried their products, you should have become a fan of them. You may have even wondered what their story is.

Tillamook is a Co-op business. This means that the farmers that help produce the products are the owners of the company. The profits from the company are used to help the farmers and provide support for the families that live and work there. The company got its start in 1894 when the famous cheese maker Peter McIntosh brought his expertise to Tillamook County and started making cheddar cheese. Tillamook still uses the same recipe for their cheddar cheese.

Now on to the good stuff. When visiting the Tillamook Factory – the tour is a free experience. It is a self guided factory tour and you can take your time visiting the various locations around the factory. It is a pretty easy layout and you will have ample time to visit each corner. Make sure you visit the second story where you get a glimpse of the cheese factory floor. It is amazing watching these large blocks of cheese come off the line.

After visiting the factory floor and production line, you will need to get in line and sample the various cheese flavors that is produced at the factory. Then of course you will need to follow that up with one or four scoops of ice cream. There is a restaurant at the factory in which you can grab a meal (Breakfast or lunch).

Currently the visitors center is being rebuilt and should be ready by 2018. However, the factory floor and tasting stations are still operating and available for visitors.

One of the most scenic areas of California are the Redwoods in the Northern part of the state. There are a number of ways you can enjoy these great outdoors; from camping to visiting national parks. But there is one unique way, you and your family can really enjoy the Redwoods.

Located in the Mendocino area of Northern California, you can ride the Skunk Train through the beautiful landscape. The Skunk Train uses the “Redwood Route” that was created in 1885 by Charles R. Johnson and was used as a logging railroad. Today the historic train will travel through the forest and allows the passengers experience the beauty of the forest through open air car or enclosed cabins.

The Skunk Train can be boarded from two different locations. Fort Bragg and Willits provide the starting points, but the trips vary. The trips from Willits tend to run longer and will cost more than Fort Bragg. However, the longer trips allow for additional activities such as BBQ in the middle of the Redwoods stop.

Currently the Skunk Train runs a few special event trips as well. They have The Magical Christmas Train (leaving from Willits – 90 Minutes; and Fort Bragg – 60 Minutes). This experience will take guests through storybook wonderland, with servings of cookies and hot chocolate (with souvenir cup you can keep). Oh and a visit by Santa Clause! Please check with the site for pricing.

If you enjoy nature and outdoors, then you must try the Skunk Train. It is an experience that you and your family will remember for a very long time.

Hot Air Balloons are a serious thing at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. At first site, one wonders how many exhibits can they possible be hosting at this location? Well the answer is surprisingly a lot!

A day at the museum will provide you with exposure to the evolution of hot air balloons. There are exhibits that show the science behind the hot air balloons.

There is an exhibit around how hot air balloons were used during times of war; from Civil War to WWII. The historic arctic exploration and how the explorers utilized hot air balloons also get their own little corner.

There is even an area where kids (and adults) will get hands on experience with hot air balloons.

Excited yet? There is even more fun ahead. If you visit the museum early in the day, there are daily balloon rides!

There is even better news if you love hot air balloons. During the month of October, for one week there is a Hot Air Balloon Festival (in 2017 it happened October 7 – 15). If you are interested in attending, visit Balloon Fiesta for the 2018 event (October 6 – 14).

Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival should be on list of places to visit with the family. It is an unforgettable excursion.

Note: Family Plans are available $37 or $47 depending on age of children (Please check on their website)

Parking is free.

Palm Springs Air Museum:

With Veteran’s Day fast approaching (November 11), it is a good opportunity to expose kids to the sacrifices our veterans have made. But to educate kids while keeping their interest is the big challenge.

Palm Springs Air Museum will help you reach those goals with ease. The museum is located by the Palm Springs International Airport. It occupies, two large hangers and has the largest collection of flyable planes from WWII.

The collection of aircraft is not only from WWII, but also includes a number of marvelous planes from Korean conflict and Vietnam.

The museum allows up close interaction of planes, including the ability to go inside a B-17 Bomber (or the flying fortress).

Excited yet? But wait there is more! There are a number of model airplanes on display as well!

There are a number of well informed volunteers that can guide and help you navigate the large collection. Through out the year, there are a number of programs and special programs, so make sure you check their website for the latest events.

We would highly recommend Palm Springs Air Museum for your next visit.

With Halloween around the corner, many of you will come across the movie Halloweentown on the Disney Channel. If you are not familiar with the 1998 Halloweentown movie, then all you need to know is that there is a town of supernatural beings. Oh and Debbie Reynolds is in it.

But there is good news here! Halloweentown is an actual city! St. Helens, Oregon is the location the movie was filmed on. But it gets better! During the month of October, the city preps for the festivities with decorations around the town.

If simple trick or treating is not for your family or you want a nice change from the normal activities of Halloween, a visit to St. Helens might be a perfect choice. The city has weekend festivals which will require purchasing of tickets; however, the cost is about $3 (Adults) and $1 (Kids) are not prohibitive.

St. Helens, Oregon is a fun place to visit during Halloween time, but the place is popular so make sure you book your travel plans in advance.

Behold! Los Angeles has a new museum. One of the great things about a now fully thriving downtown Los Angeles is all the new art and culture that is being attracted to the city. The newest member of the diverse museums of LA is The Marciano Art Foundation.

The Marciano Art Foundation is a new contemporary art space. The goal of the museum is to provide contemporary artists with large open spaces. The exhibits that come to the museum are supposed to come frequently, thus making the museum a destination to visit often.

The museum is located in an old masonic temple, and they have taken care to keep as many of the original design and art around outside and inside of the building. Due to the history of the building, there is a room that is dedicated to the Masonic past. The Relic Room, has a number of artifacts that showcase the Masonic paraphernalia.

There are a number of art exhibits around the building, so make sure you visit the three stories and fully explore the objects.

Overall, the museum is worth a visit and getting an exposure to the contemporary art of Los Angeles.

Enter Hershey’s Chocolate world and you will not only be mesmerized by the number of chocolate bars surrounding you (as well as the variety), but more importantly the amazing chocolate sculptures will fill your Facebook and Instagram feeds for hours.

The store is located at the New York – New York Hotel and Casino (which has other attractions like the roller coaster to entertain the kids). The store offers variety of taste walls (Jolly Rancher, Kisses), in addition, there is plenty of activities out there.